Cindi, you sound the way my wife used to sound when we were first married. Now she's a fair carpenter, a better welder than I ever was (I'm now a Quadriplegic), operates our bulldozer (when she can get me off of it), our excavator (still trying to figure out how I can operate it), our hay baler, and does so many other things she never dreamed she was capable of. You just need to say I can do this and try. If you mess up the first time, so what! I seldom ever get anything right the first. Just keep trying. Just wear your safety equipment and be careful with power tools. Just yesterday my 30 year old son was cutting some lumber for new hives and cut up sides for four boxes before I measured and found they were exactly an inch to short. So we cut them up for ends, no big deal. YOU CAN DO IT. :)

Good day all, I have been lurking here for a while now. I am wanting to try and build some swarm traps, and I was wondering if maybe a person could use a 5 gallon bucket. It would be something similar to the sonotube. A bucket with a lid and a couple of frames inside.

Good day all, I have been lurking here for a while now. I am wanting to try and build some swarm traps, and I was wondering if maybe a person could use a 5 gallon bucket. It would be something similar to the sonotube. A bucket with a lid and a couple of frames inside.

The bees don't like the plastic 5 gallon buckets.

Sincerely,Brendhan

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I don't think you can fit standard frames in a 5 gallon bucket. I've never tried plastic, so I'd take Brendhan word. Perhaps the cardboard lining might help, and don't forget the lemongrass. It's a crap shoot anyway, so give it a try.

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"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison

Robo In general I like your idea but I have a idea. If you would cut the top area out just over size to your frames. Then put a hinge on the piece you cut out and a hook on the othe side to keep it closed you can lift out the frames. more like a normal box. When you are ready to harvest the bees you can just open up the box and lift out the frames. Just something for you to think about. I hope this makes sence.My smokepole

Redneck, welcome to our forum, so nice that you have stopped lurking and decided to join us, hee, hee. You will find this forum a great place to ask your questions, you have already begun. All the questions get answers, one way or another, all questions are important. When you have a spare minute or two, tell us a little bit about yourself in the greetings forum. We love to hear what new members are up to, and everyone has a story or two to tell. Welcome, enjoy your stay with us, and have that beautiful and wonderful day, Cindi

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There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold. The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold. The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee. Robert Service

Robo In general I like your idea but I have a idea. If you would cut the top area out just over size to your frames. Then put a hinge on the piece you cut out and a hook on the othe side to keep it closed you can lift out the frames. more like a normal box. When you are ready to harvest the bees you can just open up the box and lift out the frames. Just something for you to think about. I hope this makes sence.My smokepole

I follow you. I don't see why it wouldn't work if you can figure out how to seal up the cuts you make to prevent water from getting in and swelling the cardboard. I just wanted something I could throw together quickly. The other thing is that you would probably have to add some wood support around the cuts to keep the cardboard from warping. This would also add weight to the whole set-up. Once you start cutting into the sonatube, it looses rigidity real fast. Good thinking though.

rob...

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"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison

Being new to beekeeping I appreciate Rob sharing his plans for the swarm traps. I'll pick up the sonotube tonight. If I don't have old comb to use, what can I substitute that will attract bees. Also, where is the best location to hang these traps?

I agree with HAB that you can do whatever you set your mind to. But, for those who think they are not handy enough to scrap together a wooden swarm trap, you can use a cardboard box. Just find one the appropriate size. Cover it with plastic if you like, or not. Or, coat the outside with beeswax if you have some extra laying around. No need to paint. If you want to get fancy cut a couple of pieces of 1" x whatever and attache to the ends of the box, inside, for a frame rest.

As for an attractant, I have not tried this, but in my collection of old antique bee hunting boxes I found some bottles of anise oil- I guess that was used as bait for hunting bees back in the day. Might work as a swarm lure as well. I'll have to try that myself sometime and see if it works.